Whether The Box in the Progressive Commercials is attending his high school class reunion (a very funny ad called YearBox) or giving a toast at a friend’s wedding — whatever the Progressive Box is doing — that voice is perfect for the occasion. Why? Because it’s former Saturday Night Live star Chris Parnell inside the Progressive Box — and Parnell’s voice just drips stentorian sarcasm in every syllable. (He sometimes reminds wistful SNL fans of another mellifluous SNL star, the late great Phil Hartman.)
“Progressive Insurance,” Parnell begins one Progressive spot simply titled The Box, “you know, from our 4,000 television commercials.” Yup, we do know. The Progressive Box is a perfect bit for an SNL alum, of course, not least because of the fun touch of absurdity: these days almost everything you order online comes in a box — except insurance!
The great series of Progressive commercials featuring Parnell as the box also includes Superbox (the box as a comic book superhero), Box of Love (a great takeoff on The Bachelor/Bachelorette) and No Fly Box (featuring Parnell/The Box getting grilled at the airport, but remaining “handsome” in his shades). As the Box, Parnell is almost as beloved in the Progressive universe as Flo and the surprising Jaime.
Parnell left SNL in 2006 and has appeared on Tina Fey’s 30 Rock and on Adult Swim’s Rick and Morty. He starred for multiple seasons on Suburgatory. Parnell’s voice has graced all three Hotel Transylvania movies to date. The Box may be a star, but Parnell knows real superheroes too, which may account for his nailing the role of Superbox — he narrated the adventures of PBS’s Word Girl.
